The prestigious 'Choose France' summit, held at Versailles Palace, has set a new record by securing €15 billion in foreign investment pledges. This event is a cornerstone of France’s strategy to boost international trade and attract global investment, particularly in innovative and growth-oriented sectors.
French President Emmanuel Macron took center stage at the summit, engaging directly with global CEOs to discuss France’s role in global trade and its commitment to creating a favorable business environment. This year’s summit successfully surpassed the previous year's pledges of €13 billion, demonstrating heightened international confidence in France's trade and economic strategies.
Key to the summit’s success was the announcement of a €4 billion investment by Microsoft, aimed at expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure in France. This includes the enhancement of existing facilities in Paris and Marseilles, and the establishment of a new data center in Mulhouse. Additionally, Amazon disclosed a €1.2 billion investment plan to augment its logistics and AWS cloud services in France, aligning with the country's aim to position itself as a leader in European AI technology.
These significant investments are expected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs, reflecting the direct benefits of fostering international trade relations and investment. The summit facilitated discussions on 56 different business projects, highlighting the diverse opportunities available within France’s growing economy.
The event also featured major commitments from top pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and GSK, which collectively announced investments exceeding $1 billion. Furthermore, Estonian-based Skeleton Technologies committed to investing €600 million over five years to develop high-power energy storage solutions, reinforcing France’s role as an innovation hub.
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire emphasized that these investments were the result of government policies aimed at reducing corporate taxes and providing incentives for green technology and R&D, which have made France an attractive destination for foreign trade and investment.
As France continues to enhance its strategic position in the global market, the 'Choose France' summit highlights the country's success in attracting substantial international investments and its commitment to driving trade relations and economic growth.
#ITCNewsUpdates #BreakingNews #TradeInvestmentNews #EconomicGrowth #GlobalTrade #InvestInFrance #BusinessInnovation